Narrowing down research interests, "fit", etc. - necessary?

[Heliosphan]

Hi all! Sometime-reader, first-time poster here.

 

I'm currently applying to sociology programs for Fall 2014, setting my sights pretty high and a nervous wreck much of the time as a result.

 

What I'm having a really hard time with is "narrowing down" my interests to something specific. I hope this doesn't come off as cliche, but I am interested and passionate about a pretty huge range of topics falling broadly under the "social sciences." Sociology is attractive to me precisely because of the scope of the field.

 

So I guess I have a question: is having a defined research interest in an application a necessity?

 

Another question: is there any imagiable scenario in which a top 20 program would admit someone with a confessed equivocality towards what exactly he or she would like to be doing as a sociology grad student, but who demonstably possesses a voracious appetite to research, learn, and find the exact niche he or she fits into during the first couple years of that process?

 

Has anyone here experienced a similar issue/anxiety?

 

Thanks for all replies in advance!

 

 

[RandomDood]

Dear Heliosphan,

 

Here are my two cents: 

 

a) When it comes to applications, I think that your curiosity is probably irrelevant. The point of the personal statement is to show that you "did your homework"; that is, that you are able to read a relevant academic conversation, identify specific problems/flaws/openings to further research, and come up with a convincing argument and project that would contribute to it (or, of course, open new conversations). I think it's pretty much assumed that, as an academic, you are a curious individual and have many interests; in the application process the point is to show that you would be able to convert that "general curiosity" into serious scholarship. It doesn't hurt to underline that you are a curious individual, but for your personal statement you need to go beyond that by engaging with specific scholarship.

 

a) That being said I understand that once you are in a program your question becomes relevant on a very different level, especially when it concerns "changing research topics".

In this regard, my answer will probably not be of any help but...it really depends on three things; the extent of the shift, the department and the advisor.

First, of course, switching from "organizations" to "social movements" will not be that big of a shift as, say, moving from "criminal justice" to "classical theory". But I would argue that it has even less to do with the topic than it has to do with your scholarly approach to the topic at hand; the latter shift would probably be more acceptable that moving from a functionalist approach to a post-structuralist one, of from a big data statistical project to an ethnographic approach, regardless of the area of study. In this regard, you can be interested in "social science", but your outlook matters more than the specific topic you are interested in.

Second, different departments/faculty have different views when it comes to flexibility. I myself have moved away quite substantially from what I had mentioned in my personal statement just a year ago (while still remaining in the broad realm of "political sociology"), and my advisor seems very excited about my new idea. On the other hand, I know of other people at other programs who are receiving quite a bit of pressure to "stay on topic"; I don't think they would NOT be able to change if they really decided to go for it, but they are certainly encountering more resistance than I am. As I said, I don't know it's department-specific or advisor specific, but as always I'm sure that it's a combination of both.

My perception is that the two relevant variables are how much the program is "structured" (as in, they require you to start doing fieldwork early, they push you to publish early, etc) and whether the emphasis is put on being a grad student "of the department" or "of individual faculty" (I remember reading somewhere that a great example of this is the Berkeley-Stanford dyad, Berkeley being an example of the former and Stanford of the latter). Structured, faculty-focused departments would probably prefer people with clearly formed research interests, while unstructured, department-focused ones will probably offer greater flexibility.

 

 

TL;DR: Of course you are curious and interested in the social science, but for your personal statement you should be specific and show that you have "done your homework." Once you are in a program, the extent to which you will be allowed to be flexible really depends on your department/advisor.

 

Hope this helps,

RD

[SocGirl2013]

From what I understand - and I am only an applicant, just like you! - one of the essential factors determining acceptance is fit. Without a defined research interest, or at the very least, an inclination towards a general subfield - "gender," "deviance," "theory," etc - and some sort of a methedological preference, it will be difficult for AdComms to determine how well you fit into their department. I doubt you'll be held to whatever you propose on your Statement of Purpose, but you should be proposing something, so AdComms can picture you within a certain place in their department.

I would suggest narrowing down your interests. What do you like about Sociology? When you took related classes, which ones intrigued you the most, and why? What do you think you'd enjoy finding out more about? These are only some of the many questions you can ask to narrow it down.

If the answers are unclear, I would recommend waiting it out until the next application cycle and taking the time to figure out your interests. Maybe apply to some MA programs too, as it might help in shaping your interests better for a PhD?

[gilbertrollins]

I get the impression that stating a definite research interest and some clear-headed sense of how you would study it empirically is important mostly for signaling your competence to the committee, not for committing to a long run research agenda.  This is the general advice for the NSF GFRP research proposal, and I think it applies pretty well to graduate school applications as well.  So finding something reasonably specific to focus on, and work that angle.  "I don't know what I want to study and not really any idea how professional research works, but I really love sociology and got really good grades," is the application you don't want to send.

[socioholic]

Hi all! Sometime-reader, first-time poster here.

 

I'm currently applying to sociology programs for Fall 2014, setting my sights pretty high and a nervous wreck much of the time as a result.

 

What I'm having a really hard time with is "narrowing down" my interests to something specific. I hope this doesn't come off as cliche, but I am interested and passionate about a pretty huge range of topics falling broadly under the "social sciences." Sociology is attractive to me precisely because of the scope of the field.

 

So I guess I have a question: is having a defined research interest in an application a necessity?

 

Another question: is there any imagiable scenario in which a top 20 program would admit someone with a confessed equivocality towards what exactly he or she would like to be doing as a sociology grad student, but who demonstably possesses a voracious appetite to research, learn, and find the exact niche he or she fits into during the first couple years of that process?

 

Has anyone here experienced a similar issue/anxiety?

 

Thanks for all replies in advance!

 

One of the good and bad things about Sociology- there's always more research, another question, a different perspective, so many topics you can cover. I'd say pick whatever best complements the rest of your application.

[gretagarbo]

hey there! I may be a little late to respond. But I just saw your post. I suggest you to have a general subfield in your mind when you apply, like economic sociology. Then look at the schools that have professors in that field. Next, you should, if you have time, mail to those professors inquiring whether you have to specify your interest in the economic sociology with a somewhat detailed description of a research project in the field in your SOP. My experience is that, it really depends on the department. Some profs may say "well it would be better if you formulated a research agenda" others would say "no need my dear, just elaborate on why you are interested in economic sociology and how much you've learned about it in your classes". I've received both responses. A very prominent professor in her field even wrote that I shouldn't bother myself with any of it. So tailor your sop to the departments, that's the best.